How do I "clean" my computer??

[Javery]

MY computer is 4 years old and I don't really know much about it other than using it for internet purposes and a glorified typewriter. I don't even play games on it (except minesweeper and solitaire). Lately, it seems to be running slow and it freezes quite often - especially when the screen saver comes up. I am wondering if I could get a better performance out it - is there anything I can do (cheaply, of course) that could clean up my computeer? And no - some spit and a rag isn't what I have in mind... Thanks! :P

[mcwilliams132]

Your best bet is to just reload your system...after 4years of use, installing, uninstalling, your system will get gummeed up.

If you bought it retail...I'd restore from the restore cd and then do all your upgrades and updates.

No amount of cleaning software will restore performance as much as a freshly restored system.

Other than that...I'd suggest

1. a registry cleaner (there are a few freeware ones out there

2. Spyware cleaners - SpyBot and SpyWareBlaster are the two best - they are also free.

3. Defrag your hard drive

4. upgrade your ram

5...or buy a new pc...

[jeffreyjrose]

Ad-Aware from LavaSoft and SpyBot are both great spyware removal tools. The removal of these unwanted guests can often improve the speed and performance of you pc. If you are connected to the internet with broadband, I cannot recommend ZoneAlarm enough. BTW, per your cheap request, all three of the aforementioned programs are free downloads off the net.

[Cornfedwb]

Due to inherent faults in Windows.. it really needs to be wiped clean and reinstalled every 2-4 years depending on personal usage. As a poster said earlier, if you have the restore discs, use those... otherwise I don't think anything is really going to help you short of a format and reinstall.

[epobirs]

You also want to clean out the interior. Computers tend to suck in stuff over time until they form dust bunnies akin to the killer rabbit in 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail.' These can build up on hot surfaces and exacerbate heat problems. This can cause sudden reboots when a critical component reaches its temperature limit. A lot of systems can be miraculously restored to stability by getting the mounds of dirt out of the case.

The best way to deal with this is to completely disconnect the computer from all its cables and carry it somewhere that dust clouds won't be a problem. Using a can of compressed air blow all of the dust out and vacuum it up. Unless you have a specialty small vacuum don't try to vacuum the interior. It will be almost impossible to reach all the necessary crevices unless you disassemble the case and I suspect you really don't want to go there. Blowing the dust out is much simpler. Make sure the compressed air can has a needle nose to reach into all the little spaces.

Be sure to spot where all of the fans are since these are some of the prime places for dust to clump up and hinder air flow.

[magilacudy]

You also want to clean out the interior. Computers tend to suck in stuff over time until they form dust bunnies akin to the killer rabbit in 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail.' These can build up on hot surfaces and exacerbate heat problems. This can cause sudden reboots when a critical component reaches its temperature limit. A lot of systems can be miraculously restored to stability by getting the mounds of dirt out of the case.

The best way to deal with this is to completely disconnect the computer from all its cables and carry it somewhere that dust clouds won't be a problem. Using a can of compressed air blow all of the dust out and vacuum it up. Unless you have a specialty small vacuum don't try to vacuum the interior. It will be almost impossible to reach all the necessary crevices unless you disassemble the case and I suspect you really don't want to go there. Blowing the dust out is much simpler. Make sure the compressed air can has a needle nose to reach into all the little spaces.

Be sure to spot where all of the fans are since these are some of the prime places for dust to clump up and hinder air flow.

Word. Also get a paper towel and carefully wipe down your cards and fans (especially the blades) as sometimes the dust doesn't completely blow off them.

[defender]

do not defrag

it is a common cause of disk errors and hard drive crashes

if the system truely is 4 years old...buy a new one...at least buy a new drive as that can easily fail after 4 years of use

a new system can easily be had for $300-$600 that will make your old system feel like a horse and buggy

[Graystone]

water hose and a copy of linux.

[SpookyD]

Seriously, do what defender says, just buy a new one, if all you want is web browsing you can buy a very cheap computer and be very happy.

[Javery]

OK, I've installed ZoneAlarm and it seems to be working because it prompts me everytime my computer launches a program that tries to connect to the internet...

I installed SpyBot and it is running now but I'm not really sure what it is doing... it says "running bot check in the lower corner and it looks like it is scanning my files...

I know I need to get a new computer soon but they are expensive (even $300 is expensive these days) and I've barely used 1/2 the memory in this one...

[Javery]

there were 13,734 things scanned I think....

[KingDox]

you can go to pcpitstop.com and they will scan your computer and tell you what you can do to help make it run faster. Just go to the site and click "Full Tests" and then do the tests are Anynomous so you don't have to register.

[bignick]

Put it in the dishwasher on low. If youuse the hot setting, you could damage something.

[uesc]

lol, don't listen to nick, the hot setting shrinking your computer is just rumors. set it on hot, that way your computer gets warmed up!

[Graystone]

washing machine
compressed air to clean it physically

avg antivirus
spy bot search and destory.

or just reformat the whole thing if you do not have anything important.

[bignick]

washing machine

Another good Idea, dont use bleach on a color case though.

[Backlash]

Format c:

[SS4Brolly]

Install and run AdAware, Spybot, and This:

http://www.tune-up.com/

Run everything in the 3rd program I listed. After you do all three you should notice quite a difference. This program rocks.

But again, just formating and reinstalling would be the best.

[Javery]

How do I reinstall everything? Will I be able to save my files anywhere while this happens?

[ngamer007]

If you're going to defrag use a program called Diskeeper. It's eons faster than the Window's program, it won't harm your HDD, and it won't reset every time your screensaver comes on.

[captainfrizo]

I use a pressure washer on my PC - it does wonders. I tried Mr. Clean Auto-Dry on it the other day and it worked wonderfully. Using a chammy on the fan was a pain in the ass. Thankfully I don't have to worry about that now.